Amanda Boyd
Washington State University, WA·Public Health & Epidemiology
By 2050, 1 in 3 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Elders is predicted to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Yet little is known about how common these diseases are, or what raises risk, in AI/AN communities.
- Fields
Public Health & Epidemiology
Social Science
- Topics
Alzheimer's disease
dementia
American Indian
- Grants
- 1 known grant, through Feb 2030
What they work on
- Survey 500 AI/AN adults, in partnership with the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, about their knowledge and views of biomarker research, health information preferences, and AI/AN representation in dementia research.
- Interview AI/AN adults to identify cultural barriers to, and supports for, joining Alzheimer's studies that use biomarkers and genetic testing, and the most effective ways to communicate about such research.
- Create culturally tailored educational materials on dementia and biomarkers, and run a pilot study to show whether a future randomized controlled trial of these materials is feasible.
More about the research
One reason is that few AI/AN people take part in dementia research. Participation is especially low in studies that use biomarkers, measurable biological signs that support accurate, timely diagnosis and help in drug development. Leaving AI/AN people out of this research deepens existing gaps in health care and outcomes.
Why it matters
Including more American Indian and Alaska Native people in Alzheimer's research is needed to understand dementia risk in a fast-growing population. It also helps ensure that biomarker-based diagnosis and new drugs are informed by these communities. This work could provide communication strategies and recruitment materials that help researchers and Native communities increase AI/AN participation in dementia studies.
Known grants
From NIH and NSF research grants. Labs often have other funding we can't see.
Closest labs
Amanda Hunter
Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ·Public Health & Epidemiology·Early-career
Identify the core elements of Native Spirit, a 13-session culturally grounded after-school program led by traditional knowledge holders for American Indian adolescents.
Kalisha Johnson
Emory University, GA·Medicine & Clinical Research·Early-career
Examine how behavioral, sociocultural and environmental factors shape formal care decisions and quality of life among African American people living with dementia and their adult daughter caregivers, using dyadic data analysis.
Naoko Muramatsu
University of Illinois Chicago, IL·Public Health & Epidemiology
Build behavioral and social research infrastructure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at the University of Illinois Chicago, linking population science and health promotion approaches.
The school
Washington State University: 22 labs on PI Pages, $403M a year on research, 259 research doctorates a year.
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